Web Content Producer, News 14 Carolina
Charlotte, NC
Read the full post January 30th, 2007
Archive for January, 2007
NFL to sell Super Bowl highlights on iTunes
Beginning the day after the Super Bowl, you’ll be able to download highlights as well as NFL Network post-game reaction and analysis on iTunes for $1.99 a pop. (Note this is the NFL selling this clips, not CBS.)
Add comment January 30th, 2007
Survey: Some YouTube users watch less TV
A survey by Harris Interactive found that 32 percent of frequent YouTube users say they watch less TV as a result of visiting the site. To put this into perspective, 14 percent of U.S. online adults say they’re frequent YouTube users, which works out to 4.5 percent of online adults. Another interesting statistic: 73 percent of frequent YouTube users said they would visit the site less if pre-roll ads were tacked on the beginning of clips. Ouch. More stats…
Read the full post 1 comment January 30th, 2007
Conflicting reports on the News Corp, ROO deal
Update: ValleyWag says the FIM folks were in the loop on the deal, which disputes the TechCrunch report which we posted earlier today: TechCrunch is reporting that execs at Fox Interactive Media, the internet arm of News Corp., learned about News Corp’s decision to invest in online video company ROO through a Wall Street Journal article published yesterday, the day of the announcement. And to make things worse, FIM had been in talks with ROO competitor Brightcove, TechCrunch reports. “The fact that News Corp. made a significant investment in an Internet startup without consulting Fox Interactive suggests News Corp. is no longer looking at their interactive subsidiary to guide them with online strategy,” writes TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington. FIM’s former leader, Ross Levinsohn, stepped down from the company last November. He was replaced by a long-time Fox executive. Meanwhile, GigaOM reports that FIM is in talks to acquire Strategic Data Corp., an online ad optimization company.
3 comments January 29th, 2007
Gates goes on ‘Daily Show’ to plug Windows Vista
What better way to kick off the release of Windows Vista than with a visit to the geeks at the Daily Show? Head Geek Bill Gates did just that, and handled Jon Stewart’s cunning attempts at figuring out his password. (”Is it ‘Gates’? Did you ever have a pet when you were younger? What was the pet’s name?”) Here’s the video…
ALSO: Part two of the interview, in which Gates talks about the future of computing, and Stewart asks about interactive TV. (Jon: “When you say ‘interactive’ what do you mean by that? Because I kind of like it that I can’t see them at home.”
6 comments January 29th, 2007
Two Hollywood execs resurface with new company
Lloyd Braun, the top ABC programming exec who worked at Yahoo until two months ago, and Gail Berman, who was Fox’s top programming exec until 2005, have joined to create a production company to create entertainment for television, films and the internet.
Add comment January 29th, 2007
Report: Online will be 20% of ad spending this year
Research and advice company Outsell projects that 20 percent of U.S. ad buys will be online in 2007. Outsell surveyed marketers to find out about companies’ ad-buying plans for the year. No surprise - the dollar shift continues to online. This year, those polled will spend about 18 percent more than they did in ‘06. That would bring the ‘07 online ad buys to one in every five bucks of an even-bigger pie. From ClickZ: “The share held by TV, radio, and movie ad spending is expected to slip 3.5 percent this year.”
Add comment January 29th, 2007
NBCU’s Wright: Old media must go digital now
NBC Universal Chairman Bob Wright tells B&C that this is the last business cycle where an old-line media company can afford not to have at least 20%-30% of its business in digital. But he also says the digital component is not yet sufficient to boost the bottom line of companies with only “average” performance in traditional businesses… (Says Wright) “Three years from now, success will require your traditional areas to be performing at the top of their games while at the same time deriving significant income - not just revenues - from digital media.”
Right on both counts. Old media companies have to make major commitments to digital initiatives AND they need to think in terms of three- and five-year plans. But simply putting your existing content online is not enough. The companies need to innovate the technologies, not just the content. Old media companies keep getting blindsided by new technology. I’m glad Mr. Wright recognizes the urgency of change and perhaps, as part of their digital initiatives, NBCU will take some of that investment money and lead the way with breakthrough online technology.
Add comment January 29th, 2007
Hearst Argyle TV makes management changes
EVP Terry Mackin will now focus on digital media full-time at Hearst Argyle TV. Frank Biancuzzo, president and general manager of WISN-TV, will return to New York headquarters as senior VP and group head.
6 comments January 29th, 2007
